Spanish winch
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Hecht_090710_Ballista.jpg/170px-Hecht_090710_Ballista.jpg)
As Spanish winch or Spanish winds (of wind "twist") is a simple twisting referred ropes, one with the example vehicles from slipping in a ship pin down. A winch is also used for simple clamping of frame saws and other toggle applications.
Already in antiquity (approx. 400 BC) it was recognized that the voltage generated in this way is very high. The same principle was therefore used in torsion guns such as the Palintona and later the ballista . The process is easy to imagine if you consider the principle of the rubber band motor in toys .
Variations
Inner Spanish Winds
The Inner Spanish Winch is used to tension ropes or wires, for example to lash objects on a loading area or to tension a fence wire. Cars used to be fastened on board a ship like this: One end of a rope was led around the axle of the vehicle next to the wheel, the other end through a lashing ring on the deck or a frame on the ship's side. Both ends are pulled together and connected with a square knot . Then a wooden stick is inserted in between and the rope is twisted by hand with it until strong tension is created by the contraction. If this procedure is used on all four wheels / axles, the vehicle remains immovable. Instead of the rope, the stronger Hercules rope is often used or, depending on the dimensions of the object, with thin wires.
In the case of a bow trap , the bow of the trap was also stretched.
In the case of torsion guns, the twisting creates a strong prestress (static energy). If the stick is suddenly released and relieved, a strong torque (dynamic energy) is generated, which causes the stick to move quickly. This movement is transferred to the projectile and used as a throwing movement.
Outside Spanish Winds
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/SpanishWindlass2stick.jpg/220px-SpanishWindlass2stick.jpg)
The Outer Spanish Winch is used, for example, to bundle logs or clubs. A round strap (bound to an endless loop cable) is placed around the still loose items and then with the Törnknüppel or marlinspike rotated outside of the bundle as long he has to be tensioned. The stick is fixed with a ribbon (cord) to prevent it from being untwisted.
If two Spanish winches are used for longer objects, the turning sticks are operated with the same direction of rotation. If the fixed turning sticks overlap sufficiently, they result in a practical carrying handle (see left, lower picture).
This method is also known from tying off heavy bleeding.
As a garrotte , it was previously used in executions .
When splicing ( eye splice with thimble ), the wire rope was lashed into the thimble (out of date).
Spanish winch with toggle
The Spanish winch with toggle is another variant with an "auxiliary toggle". Here, the objects are wound with a twine, rope or wire over a toggle (rod, tube, bar) and two marlin spikes (on both sides) until the desired tension is achieved and twisted tightly together.
Risk of accident
If the joystick is not secured and is, for example, with its own pressure on the deck / object, it can loosen from its final tension and snap back vehemently and thus lead to accidents.
Alternatives
Professional load securing is carried out with technical solutions such as tension belts , tension chains and possibly wire tensioners .
Further solutions: Carter's knot , screw clamp (depending on the tensioning process), turnbuckle (or turnbuckle ).
- Inside
- Outside
Choke knot with toggle
Web links
- The Spanish Windlass (English)
- Spanish Windlass modified version of the Spanish windlass with Gag (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Picture of an inner Spanish winch , ABoK # 193 as a carpenter's knot (Cabinetmakerknot)
- ↑ Moorish Trap
- ↑ ABoK # 235 as a coachman's knot (Drayman's Knot)
- ↑ Clifford Ashley: The Ashley Book of Knots . Number 1258, 1259.
- ↑ Image: “Spanish winch with toggle” in use , ABoK # 2803, # 3154 Spanish Windlass
- ↑ Alternative: Spanish winch with toggle and only one marlin spike ( memento of the original from September 27, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.